Editor AMANDALA
Sir,
Today is the 17th of September. It’s 9:48 a.m., and once again the small growers are getting the shaft from CGA/CPBL. In the past, when check payment was due on the weekend, we were paid a day in advance. Lately, they grab the couple x-tra days interest and pay us as late as possible. Well, today is the 17th, and I expected my money at 8:00 a.m., which is the start of any responsible business day in the corporate world.
Why is it that two of the biggest money makers in the South cannot get the small growers’ checks ready on time??
I called CPBL first, only to be told that it was CGA I should talk to. I admit I was a bit pissed off, but hell man, da time to “get vex”. If we, the Belizean growers, continue to take this bulls—t and take it like sheep, we will get more of this.
I then called CGA, where I was put on to Ms. Judith, secretary to Ms. Cullerton. I was told the checks would be ready, and delivered to CGA about 1:00 p.m. Translated, this means we would be lucky to receive our checks by 3:00 this afternoon. I told Miss Judith both CGA and CPBL were to blame as they work in concert, and know that the money is due. Why do they continue to jerk us around like beggars for our own money? Try waiting in line for two hours for your check in the sun hot, only to reach the head of the line and be told, “Your check’s up valley”- (been there, done that) arrgh!!- time to go ballistic.!
Check the scenario, small grower, small account, can’t cash your check anywhere else but CGA Credit Union. At first, for free, then you had to have a CGA account, then you’d get faster service if you “direct deposited” your money, (no thanks -I like to see my stub). Now we got all the small growers’ “cheese”, and all of a sudden the Citrus Growers Association Credit Union is broke and the poor farmers cannot access their own funds?? I heard of a woman who needed an ultrasound for her baby and could not access her funds.
What we need is some legal entity with sufficient knowledge to advise the growers of their rights, and the government to get off their duffs and look into this matter. The plan now is to foreclose on the small growers’ farms and properties to recoup funds to keep CGA Credit Union functioning. Maybe there’s a method to their madness.
Now I know the entities are separate, but, there’s a strong connection here, and we the people are being used and abused, and if we don’t say anything about it, then obviously, we like it.
(Signed) Hyacinth Ysaguirre
Small(est) Grower
Stann Creek Valley.